TABLE WINE
is an often-used phrase with the potential to confuse those
who might understandably assume it has a single definition or
meaning. Comprehending the specific meaning of this reference,
however, essentially depends upon the cultural and contextual usage.

In the general culture of wine consumers, table wine means
wines with alcohol from natural fermentation, in the range between 9% and 15%, and primarily served as an accompaniment to food. These are distinguished from fortified
wines that have distilled alcohol added to bring them to a level
of 16% alcohol or above.

Legally, in the
United States, table wine means wine with a naturally-fermented
(not fortified or added) alcohol content of between 10% and 14%.
The phrases "light wine" and "natural
wine" are also interchangeable here. Wine classified as table wine is taxed in the United States at a rate
of US$1.07 per gallon. From 14% to 21% alcohol, the tax rate becomes US$1.57 per gallon.